‘My son is autistic. I don’t want him to change – but the world needs to.’

‘I feel like in many ways the odds are against him.’ Anyone at any time can become a carer to a family member or friend. I became a carer when my eldest child was diagnosed with autism at age seven. I am a proud mother to four young children (including triplets!) and a member of…

Cape mother turns grief into kindness via non-profit foundation

A Cape Cod mother who lost her son in 2020 started a non-profit foundation to keep her son’s memory alive by spreading kindness. In February 2020, Chase Soares, a 23-year-old from Falmouth, died in a tragic car accident. Soares was a son, a friend, and a passionate basketball player. He was also the first-born of his…

The Darkest Night Since My Son Died

Last week marked one year since my 15-year-old son Christian died tragically and unexpectedly. The last 365+ days have been the darkest night my soul has known. St. John of the Cross detailed a dark night of the soul in his poetry as “a spiritual crisis in the journey toward union with God.” Other perspectives…

Father, son share a burning desire for volunteer firefighting

Volunteer firefighters are critical to the safety of residents in many small communities. That rings true in Coldwater and throughout Severn Township, where Andy Jones and his son, Mark Jones, have a combined 45 years of dedicated contributions through volunteer firefighting. The duo were recently recognized for 30 and 15 years of service, respectively. Andy, 54, started his firefighting…